Culminating a successful multi-city journey, South African Tourism concluded the 21st edition of its Annual India Roadshow in Mumbai, the final leg of the showcase
(L to R: Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australia, and Middle East, South African Tourism and Mitalee Karmarkar, Marcom Manager, MEISEA, South African Tourism)
Led by Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australia, and Middle East, South African Tourism, the roadshow served as a strategic platform to deepen business relationships, address evolving traveller preferences, and unlock new growth opportunities.
With 40 exhibitors presenting a diverse range of offerings, the roadshow garnered enthusiastic participation of over 500 travel trade agents in Mumbai accumulating a total of over 1300 Indian tour operators across all three cities. Emphasising a strong response, the event witnessed a growing interest in the Rainbow Nation as a preferred destination and highlights the roadshow’s role in fostering valuable partnerships within the Indian travel trade community.
Commenting during the roadshow, Gcobani Mancotywa stated, “India has always been a high-priority market for South African Tourism, with strong demand from family travellers, adventure seekers, and luxury tourists. While family travel remains a steady segment, we are now witnessing a significant rise in travellers above the age of 40 exploring South Africa. At the same time, the younger demographic presents a promising opportunity, and tapping into this segment will be a key focus for us moving forward.”
He continued, “In 2024, out of the 75,541 Indian tourists who visited the Rainbow Nation, an impressive 63.6% were from Mumbai, reaffirming a strong outbound potential. Bollywood and cricket—two of India’s greatest passions—continue to be at the core of our strategic outreach. From hosting film productions to leveraging cricket’s deep-rooted influence, we aim to create stronger cultural connections that inspire more Indian travellers to experience the magic of South Africa. We remain committed to deepening these ties and welcoming more visitors from India to the Rainbow Nation”
Travellers from Mumbai seek a well-rounded experience when exploring international destinations, often combining leisure with business, indulging in retail therapy, and immersing themselves in nature-based adventures. Mumbai remains one of the key source markets for South African Tourism, with a notable rise in business travel in 2024—42.3% of travellers combined work trips with leisure activities. Additionally, 18.5% showed a keen interest in attractions and adventure experiences, reflecting a strong demand for diverse and enriching travel opportunities. Recognising this evolving traveller profile, South African Tourism is strategically engaging Mumbai’s travel trade community to promote its diverse offerings and further strengthen the destination’s appeal in the market.
As part of ongoing efforts to streamline travel, South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system and the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) are set to significantly enhance visa processing for Indian tourists. Additionally, discussions are progressing on establishing direct flight routes between the two nations, a move expected to further boost visitor numbers. Highlighting this, Gcobani Mancotywa noted, “Travel convenience is a key factor in destination preference, and we are actively working with stakeholders to improve connectivity and simplify entry requirements for Indian travellers.”
With South Africa set to assume the G20 Presidency in 2025, tourism plays a pivotal role in fostering global travel partnerships and driving sustainable growth. Looking ahead, the tourism board remains committed to deepening its presence in India through sustained trade engagement, consumer awareness initiatives, and innovative marketing strategies.
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